| Cricket offers much in the way of variety, particularly | | | | average- after he came out of retirement to captain |
| with elements of bowling and batting. Some batsmen | | | | the West Indies in 2001- was 45.67. Prior to that, |
| appear to have more style and talent than others. | | | | Hooper averaged only 33.76. His highest Test score |
| Carl Llewellyn Hooper was one such batsman. His | | | | of 233 was made after his return to the West Indies |
| batting was easy and effortless; to the extent that | | | | team in 2001. |
| he was often referred to as "Cool Carl". | | | | In the ODI version of the game, Hooper played 227 |
| The former West Indies captain and middle-order | | | | matches and scored 5,761 runs at an average of |
| batsman was also given the back-handed compliment | | | | 35.34. |
| of being referred to as the greatest under-performer | | | | Carl Hooper's bowling was also very useful. He was |
| in Test cricket. Although he possessed a good record | | | | an occasional bowler who'd be called on to break |
| and was a regular for the West Indies, several | | | | partnerships. By no means was Carl Hooper a genuine |
| cricket aficionados felt that "Cool Carl" didn't scale the | | | | all-rounder- certainly not in the Test arena. In the |
| heights that his talent suggested. His runs were often | | | | shorter version of the game, he took 193 wickets |
| accumulated with style and elegance. Yet when he | | | | with an economy rate of 4.36. Hooper still managed |
| scored a few runs, he'd characteristically get | | | | to take 114 Test wickets at an average of 49.42. |
| dismissed playing a careless attacking shot. | | | | Yet, Geoff Boycott referred to Hooper's off-break |
| Born in 1966 at Georgetown, Guyana, Carl Hooper | | | | attempts as "Lollipop bowling". |
| developed into a dashing right-handed batsman and | | | | Based on his talent and experience, Carl Hooper |
| off-break bowler. He made his First-class debut in the | | | | enjoyed stints in England with Kent and Lancashire. |
| 1983/84 season for his native Guyana in the West | | | | Although Hooper was a regular in the West Indies |
| Indies' domestic tournament. Hooper's First-class | | | | side, he was something of an enigma. He often |
| career spanned two decades; ending in 2004. In that | | | | appeared nonchalant and disinterested in the field and |
| period, he played 339 First-class matches in that | | | | even when he was batting. |
| period- with good returns. | | | | His underachievement was a real disappointment to |
| From his 339 First-class matches, Carl Hooper scored | | | | West Indies fans. Also, the manner in which he ruled |
| 23,034 runs at a classy average of 47.68. That | | | | himself out of the team before the 1999 World Cup |
| First-class average better represented his talent and | | | | tarnished his legacy. Like the prodigal son, he returned |
| ability. In the Test arena, Hooper was only good | | | | to the game in 2001 and enhanced his legacy. Still, his |
| enough. In 102 Test matches, Hooper scored 5,762 | | | | international career ended in disappointment and a |
| runs at a moderate average of 36.46. | | | | degree of ignominy when he was discarded for good |
| Hooper's underperformance can be noted that his | | | | after a poor 2003 World Cup in South Africa. |